Department of Education Funding Freeze Hits ESLC

On June 30, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) froze nearly $7 billion of federal funding that supports educational programs across the country in a sweeping hold on funds from the Department of Education. The funding freeze directly impacts adult education programs by withholding $729 million in grants for adult literacy, English language instruction, and integrated education and training services that were set to begin July 1. The Department of Education released the allocations for adult education basic grants to states in early June, and awards were already issued to local agencies, making the sudden freeze on June 30 especially confusing and disruptive. This unexpected decision has immediate and serious consequences for adult education programs across the country, including the English Skills Learning Center. 

This comes just months after the ESLC lost a major citizenship preparation grant earlier in the year, compounding financial and operational strain. We now face immediate funding disruptions, and we need your support.

Impact on the ESLC Since February 2025

• Terminate four full-time positions due to loss of funding and financial strain.

• Furloughed seven key team members.

• Paused intensive ESLC classes (including Empowering Parents and Workplace) scheduled to begin in the next few weeks.

• Reduced our capacity and ability to serve nearly 400 learners.

Due to the dedication and energy of volunteer teachers, remaining staff,  and partners, our community classes and long-term workplace contracts remain in session.

Broader Legal Action Underway

On July 14, 24 states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit challenging the freeze of nearly $7 billion in education funding, targeting adult education, English language, after-school, teacher training, and more. Utah did not join this coalition. We will be following this case closely.

You Can Take Action

To help the ESLC navigate this crisis and continue critical adult and family education, here’s how you can take a stand:

• Support the ESLC directly

  • Donate today. 

  • Sign up to volunteer. 

  • Share this blog post with 5+ people in your network.

• Join the Adult Education Association and COABE next week, right here in Utah!

  • Event information and RSVP here  https://forms.gle/R5YZNfWJysEDMkkdA

• Join national advocacy efforts to urge Congress to release funds

  • Release the Funding Campaign (for those who work in adult ed)

  • Friends of Adult Education Campaign 

    
    

A Message to Our Partners and Supporters

We know this is deeply frustrating, and you undoubtedly have questions. While we’re working diligently to navigate this funding freeze, our remaining staff are stretched thin. We ask that you please be patient as we manage this complex situation and promise to provide timely updates as soon as new information is available.

Adult learners aren’t waiting for the perfect funding cycle. They are ready now.  Your support, whether spreading the word, making a financial contribution, or volunteering, makes a tangible difference.

Together, we’re fighting to ensure adult learners and families don’t lose momentum and that we can continue integrating and strengthening communities. 

Thank you for standing with the ESLC in this critical hour.